Richard Graham
Reds Head coach Richard Graham has made 4 changes to his starting side, with injuries playing their part in a backline shuffle for when the Reds take on the Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium.
Injury has forced 2 of the changes, with Curtis Browning (knee) and Karmichael Hunt (adductor) ruled out of the match after suffering injuries against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last weekend.
3 Of the 4 changes come in the backs, the injury to Hunt has forced veteran utility Lachie Turner from wing to fullback.
Chris Feauai-Sautia goes from outside centre to wing and Anthony Fainga’a is brought back into the starting side at inside centre.
In the forwards, recent debutant Adam Korczyk will make his starting debut at blindside flank, in place of the injured Browning.
Korczyk made his debut against the Bulls in Pretoria 2 weeks ago and scored his 1st Super Rugby try against the Cheetahs last weekend.
The bench features 2 potential debutants, with hooker Andrew Ready again named as a replacement, along with 2015 signing Lolo Fakaosilea.
“Injury has forced 2 changes this week,” Graham said.
“Curtis Browning suffered a pretty ordinary knee injury early in the Cheetahs match. He is having exploratory surgery today to determine what the extent of the injury is.
“Karmichael Hunt is a victim of his own high standards. He has done a lot of work on the field in the past few weeks to improve all aspects of his game and as a consequence the load with games and travel was too much.
“He suffered a small adductor strain.
“Adam Korczyk will continue at blindside after a strong performance last week and Anthony Fainga’a returns to start at inside centre with the rest just positional changes.
“That provides us with the best amount of continuity and also rewards the group for their performances on tour.”
Graham said the side was thrilled to be back at Ballymore.
“It is fantastic to be back amongst familiar surroundings,” the coach continued.
“It is always a boost to come back and see the rest of the staff and squad that didn’t tour.
“With the amount of time and effort that goes into the preparation it is only natural that everyone rides the highs and lows together.
“Taking 5 points out of the tour was a step forward but we understand that needs to be supported with more wins over the coming weeks.
Even though we have had another run of injuries through this 5 game block, there has definitely been greater stability in selection and as a consequence improved preparation.
“That has been mirrored in improved performances.
“I was pleased with a number of aspects of the game last week. I thought our scrum was superb, I thought Will Genia and Nick Frisby managed where we played very well and I though Lachie Turner kicked exceptionally well for touch on penalty kicks.
“Add to that the overall team performance and the discipline to the way we wanted to play and I thought we deserved the win.
The Reds and Hurricanes have met 18 times in Super Rugby, with the New Zealanders claiming 12 wins in that time.
Matches played in Queensland are an even split, with 4 wins a piece.
“The Hurricanes have had a good season to date. Everyone knows how capable they are with the ball in hand but it is obvious they have worked hard on their defence and breakdown leading in to this season,” Graham said.
“Their scrum is also improved and they are one of the best at providing quality ball to their backline.
“The game at Suncorp this weekend should be a cracker. The weather conditions look great, it is a Sunday fixture, it is a celebration of Anzac Day and we’re playing the competition leaders.
“It doesn’t get much better for the players involved or the people supporting.”
Reds: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Anthony Fainga’a, 11 James O’Connor, 10 Nick Frisby, 9 Will Genia, 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Adam Korczyk, 5 James Horwill, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 James Hanson, 1 James Slipper (Captain)
Replacements: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Sef Faagase, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Marco Kotze, 20 Lolo Fakaosilea, 21 Scott Gale, 22 Campbell Magnay, 23 Chris Kuridrani.
Date: Sunday 26 April
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off: 08:05 SA Time (16:05 AEST, 18:05 NZ Time, 06:05 GMT)
Referee: Nick Briant
Assistant Referees: Matt O’Brien, Damien Mitchelmore
TMO: Ian Smith
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